Gordon Herford Master Jeweller

Gordon began his jewellery career with an apprenticeship at Dennis M James jewellery in 1979 whose shopfront was at the entrance to the old Stock Exchange Building O'Connell Street Sydney where he continued to work for Dennis for 5 years.

After branching out on his own Gordon entered his first De Beers award in 1985 winning the Diamond Anniversary ring category.

In 1987 he entered the De Beers award again winning in 3 categories including Supreme Diamond Design Award. He was a judge in subsequent De Beers awards.

It has been 20 years since Gordon has entered an award competition.

Gordon refused all offers to commercialise his talent preferring to design exclusive individual pieces for his many national and international clients from his upstairs studio next to Louis Vuitton in King Street Sydney for over 20 years.

One of his methods of creating jewellery is by utilizing the ancient Lost Wax Method of creating original designs and his exceptional skill as a sculptor is evident in all of his wax carved pieces. Gordon begins by carving the design in wax which is then encased in plaster. When set the wax mould is melted away leaving the detailed design. Precious metal is then poured into the plaster cast which is removed and the original piece is revealed.

Gordon is also recognised for his interpretation of classic jewellery making adding soul and the feel of the organic rather than just austere technical execution. Upon inspection, one of the distinctive features of his jewellery is intricate back-piercing which is of the old school.

'Fleur de Lumiere' (winner of the coveted Harpers Bazaar Diamond Guild Australia 2007 Jewellery Award Pink Diamond category) was inspired by floral lace. Two bands were incorporated to create one ring, one being an 18ct white gold concave inner band set with a bed of 220 white diamonds and the outer band was hand-carved creating a floral design which was in 22ct yellow gold and set with varying sizes of pink Argyle diamonds in the centre of each flower. The use of yellow gold highlights the pink and white diamonds and the 23mm width was designed to make a bold yet feminine statement. Gordon is now creating an exclusive range of similar designs based on this piece.

Gordon sees the trend in jewellery being a sense of the theatrical yet simple feminine pieces incorporating the fashion and art worlds.

Diamonds as a loose gem represent a myriad of colour and light just begging to be framed and worn. The diamonds true value lies in its ability to impart emotion whether it be a romantic gift or a self-indulgence. No other gem achieves this quite so dramatically when combined with good design.

Gordon opened Gordon Herford Master Jeweller salon in Noosa, Queensland in 2006 much to the instant delight of locals, travellers and existing clients. He is now able to create exquisite pieces of jewellery for the salon as well as commissioned works.

Gordon is best known for his ability to individually style his clients with exclusive bejewelled extensions of their personalities, his organic sculptural prowess, his easy-going nature and the way in which he enlightens his clients on the diamonds or pearls so the attributes and value of the gems are easily understood.